BLACK SEA

Halal-friendly holidays

Since the Black Sea region is in Türkiye, whose population is 99% Muslim, it is a very Muslim-friendly place. Halal food is available in all hotels as standard and many hotels are completely alcohol-free. Each city, town, village and neighbourhood has its own mosque offering five daily prayers. You will find a wide variety of architectural styles, many dating from the time of the Ottoman Empire.

As the Black Sea region is in Türkiye, halal food is available everywhere as standard and all meat is halal. Being by the coast, there is also an abundance of delicious seafood in many restaurants. There are also lots of vegetarian options to choose from as well. The Black Sea is known for its rich gastronomic heritage so be sure to try the Hamsi Kofte, made from the renowned local anchovies, unique to the Black Sea region and Akçaabat meatballs.

There are many hotels in the Black Sea region that serve halal food and are alcohol-free.

Trabzon - Trabzon is the largest city on the Black Sea coast, with a population of over a million. It is well worth visiting for sights such as the spectacular Sumela Monastery, perched high in the mountains, the Hagia Sophia Mosque (not to be confused with the much larger one of the same name in Istanbul) and the Atatürk Kosku (Mansion).

Samsun - Samsun is a major Black Sea port city and full of sights, such as the Bandirma Ferry Museum, Nebiyan Mountain and Onur Aniti Monument. It is also the starting point from which the Turkish War of Independence began in 1919.

Amasra - This picturesque small town is a historic harbourfront, which is the most beautiful in the Black Sea region. Amasra’s main attractions are the Byzantine Citadel and the old town, which has small winding streets and colourful houses that are close together.

Black Sea Beaches - The Black Sea coast is not really a place for sunbathing, but nonetheless there are many beautiful sandy beaches to be found. They tend to be smaller and not always easily accessible due to the high mountains which line much of the coastline.

Uzungöl - Take a day trip to the village of Uzungöl from Trabzon via a 96 km drive and wonder at the mountain slopes surrounded by lush green forest and the vast Uzungöl lake.

Safranbolu Houses in Karabük - These wonderful examples of traditional Ottoman houses, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are around 2000 houses which are located just north of Karabük city centre.

Hattusa in Çorum - This astonishing site is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is the ancient capital of the Hittites. Founded in the 17th century BCE, ruins of a palace and other remains of the city, dating back to the 13th century BCE can still be seen.

There are many mosques in the Black Sea region, which you’ll find in every neighbourhood. Here are some notable mosques :

Hagia Sophia Mosque - Located in Trabzon, the Hagia Sophia Mosque was built as a church, before being turned into a mosque during the Ottoman era. It then became a Museum in the 1960’s and was later reopened as a mosque once again.

Pazar Mosque - Pazar Mosque was built by the Mongols in the 13th Century and is Samsun’s oldest building. Today, the mosque offers daily prayers and Jumuah Khutbahs.

Fatih Mosque - Formerly a church in the Byzantine era, Fatih Mosque in Trabzon is now a place of worship for Muslims with many Ottoman inscriptions on its walls, a wooden Minbar and Mihrab made of stone.

Yalı Camii (Mosque) - The Yalı Camii can be found in the city centre of Samsun and is one of the oldest mosques in the region, dating back to 1486.

Central Great Mosque - Located near Meydan Square in Samsun, the Ottoman-built Central Great Mosque was built in the 14th century. It is a large and spacious mosque that offers daily prayers and Jumuah Khutbahs.

There are no ladies-only beaches in the Black Sea.

There is no issue with wearing a burkini or other modest swimwear in Türkiye and you will find that beaches, pools and spas welcome modest swimwear.